Austin FC will be seeking to end their winless run of seven games in Major League Soccer when they host Dallas on Saturday night at the Q2 Stadium.
The visitors, meanwhile, will be hoping to win their second away game of the season when they make the trip to Texas.
Match preview
Austin FC come into this contest in a terrible patch of form, failing to arrest their slump last weekend with a 2-2 draw with Portland Timbers at Providence Park.
The Timbers took the lead twice in the game courtesy of Dario Zuparic and Claudio Bravo, but Jon Gallagher and Will Bruin were on target for Josh Wolff's side to force a share of the spoils.
That result means the Verde and Black are winless in their last seven MLS outings, failing to taste victory since the 2-1 triumph over Real Salt Lake back on March 12.
However, Austin did manage to advance through to the next round of the US Open Cup in midweek, thanks to a comfortable 2-0 victory over New Mexico United, and Wolff will be hoping his side can bring that form with them into this weekend's clash.
The Verde and Black are in desperate need of points, as they currently sit 12th in the Western Conference, having amassed 10 points in as many games.
Meanwhile, lightning forced the postponement of a scoreless match between Dallas and MLS newcomers St Louis City last weekend.
The inclement weather sent the two teams off the field in the 50th minute, and the match will be resumed where it left off at a date to be determined.
Dallas come into this game sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference, having picked up 16 points from 11 matches, although the Toros have only managed to record one victory away from home so far this season.
Goals seem to have dried up for Nico Estevez's side, as prior to that match, the Toros shared the spoils with Minnesota United in a goalless draw on matchday 10, and they also failed to find the back of the net in the 2-0 defeat to Nashville SC in the US Open Cup on Thursday.
However, an encouraging stat for Estevez will be that his side are unbeaten in their last 14 regular-season encounters in which they have scored the opening goal, a stretch which began against this weekend's opponents in June 2022, when they drew with Austin FC 2-2.
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Team News
Wolff will be unable to call upon the services of defender Zan Kolmanic, who is out for the season after tearing his ACL during a training session.
In addition, Diego Fagundez has missed the last four matches after picking up a groin injury against Vancouver Whitecaps on April 16 and is expected to miss this weekend's clash.
As for Dallas, Tarik Scott will not return this season from his torn ACL, while Jesus Ferreira looks set to lead the line for the Toros after featuring in every MLS game so far this season.
Jesus Jimenez could also return to the starting XI on Sunday after he replaced the injured Paul Arriola in last weekend's match with St Louis City.
Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Lima, Ring, Cascante, Vaisanen, Lundqvist; Redes, Valencia, Pereira, Rigoni; Zardes
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Twumasi, Ibeagha, Jesus, Farfan; Lletget, Quignon, Pomykal; Jimenez, Ferreira, Obrian
We say: Austin FC 1-2 Dallas
Austin are in a terrible patch of form, and despite Dallas' struggles in front of goal recently, we think that they will have too much firepower for Josh Wolff's side here.
How to watch
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Previews by email
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